Chemicals: Use and Storage
About 4 of every 45 questions on a Oregon Laws and Rules Exam practice exam come from this topic.
Sources checked
Oregon's cosmetology rules change on January 1, 2027: a 2025 law adds a provisional certificate, and the Board of Cosmetology plans to adopt temporary rules in December 2026. These practice questions come only from parts of the law those changes don't touch, so they leave out certificate qualifications, renewal, fees and civil penalties. We'll recheck the whole bank against the new rules once they're filed.
What to know
During chemical services, an authorization holder must follow all safety procedures that prevent eye, nail, hair or skin injury to clients or damage to their clothing. The storage rule uses the OAR 437, Division 2 definitions of corrosives, flammables and oxidizers. "Hazardous" means capable of causing an unplanned, uncontrolled reaction that could harm authorization holders or clients by explosion, fire, release of toxic gases or by-products, or physical or chemical burns, and "segregated in storage" means separated by an adequate distance or physical barriers such as partitions or separate shelving. Flammables must be stored apart from potential sources of ignition. Containers of one gallon or less may share a cabinet if reactive chemicals are at least 12 inches apart or on different shelves, or if glass bottles are made break-resistant, kept in rubber buckets or sleeves, or partitioned. Highly reactive chemicals and containers over one gallon go in separate cabinets, safety-valve containers or isolated locations, and Oregon Department of Transportation shipping containers may be used for storage. Chemical waste goes into a closed container at the end of each service and a fire-retardant container at the end of each business day. Chemicals for client services must be mixed in a dispensing area with adequate ventilation, away from open flame and other potential sources of ignition, and all chemicals must be disposed of per the manufacturer's instructions and local and state environmental requirements. Authorization holders may not use FDA-banned cosmetic substances, use products in a manner the FDA has not approved, use products containing compounds that safety data sheets or random product testing characterize as hazardous or harmful to humans, or use an open flame at the workstation during any phase of a chemical service. An authorization holder using products that may contain formaldehyde must follow all city, county, state and federal laws, rules, codes and regulations on formaldehyde, and the Board adopts Oregon OSHA's formaldehyde rule, under which an independent contractor counts as an employer.
Where it comes from
- OAR 817-060-0010
- OAR 817-060-0020
- OAR 817-060-0030
- OAR 817-060-0050
- OAR 817-010-0060
Try a practice question
During a chemical service, which safety procedures does the Board require an authorization holder to follow?
- AOnly those printed on the product label for the scalp and hairline area
- BOnly those the client asks for in writing before the service
- CThose that prevent eye, nail, hair or skin injury or damage to clothing
- DThose that prevent injury to the practitioner rather than the client
Show the answer
Those that prevent eye, nail, hair or skin injury or damage to clothing. The rule requires following all safety procedures that prevent eye, nail, hair or skin injury to clients or damage to their clothing when administering chemical services.
OAR 817-060-0010(1)
Ready for a full run? The Oregon Cosmetology Laws and Rules Exam Practice Test is 45 questions in 45 minutes, scored at 75%. For the official exam's details, see Oregon Cosmetology Laws and Rules Exam Requirements.